Health and Human Services: connecticut1

8/14/2019 Health and Human Services: connecticut1

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(1) DEFINITION OF WORK ACTIVITIES

The State defines TANF work activities listed at 42 U.S.C. 607 (d) as follows:

Unsubsidized Employment - Work in which wages are paid to assistance recipientssolely by the employer without public sector subsidy. Includes assistance recipients’self-employment.

Subsidized Private Sector Employment - Work in the for-profit or private not-for-profit sector of the economy in which wages are paid to assistance recipients by theemployer and another entity, usually through state or federal government assistance.Includes work study and stipends.

Subsidized Public Sector Employment - Work in the government sector of theeconomy, that is, federal, state or local governmental organizations, in which wages

are paid to assistance recipients by the employer and another entity, usually throughstate or federal government assistance. Includes work study and stipend programs.

Work Experience - Time-limited, paid (at least the State's minimum wage),supervised work activity in the public or private sector which is intended to improvethe employability of assistance recipients.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) - Paid and supervised work activity in the public orprivate sector in which a participating assistance recipient receives training thatprovides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of aspecific job.

Job Search and Job Readiness - Supervised group and individual job search activityfor assistance recipients. May include:

• classroom instruction in job search techniques, completing jobapplications, interviewing, resumes;

• life skills training, orientation to the world of work, motivationalexercises, family budgeting, etc.;

• job placement and job development;

• job seekers support groups (job clubs).

Vocational Education Training - Formal occupational skills training conducted for

assistance recipients in a classroom setting, in a workplace setting, or in somecombination of the two.

Community Service - Volunteer activity in community-based programs, the primarygoal of which is community enhancement as opposed to improving the employabilityof assistance recipients.

TANF ANNUAL REPORT - FFY 2005 - CT DSS - DEC. 2005 - PAGE 1 of 24



(1) DEFINITION OF WORK ACTIVITIES (Continued)

Child Care for Others Doing Community Service - Provision of child care servicesby an assistance recipient for an individual performing community service. Care for a

dependent child by the second adult in a two-parent TFA household does not count.

Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment - Any suitable occupationalor vocational training provided to assistance recipients that leads to employment.

Education Directly Related to Employment, in the case of assistance recipientswithout a high school diploma or GED - Preparatory programs in ABE, GED andESL when not a part of a vocational educational program.

High School / GED - Participation in a high school or GED program in the case of assistance recipients who have not completed high school.

The above definitions exclude services provided to inmates of public institutions.




(2) DESCRIPTION OF TRANSITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO FAMILIES

NO LONGER RECEIVING ASSISTANCE DUE TO EMPLOYMENT

a). Post-TFA Jobs First Employment Services

Jobs First Employment Services are available to families engaged in such activities atthe time they become ineligible for Temporary Family Assistance, the State’s TANFcash assistance program. Employment services may be provided for up to one yearafter exiting TFA. Such services include, but are not limited to the following: casemanagement, barrier resolution, employment related education and training, jobsearch skill training, job placement services, support services, retention services, andre-employment services.

b). Transitional Child Care

Families that exit Temporary Family Assistance are also eligible for TransitionalChild Care, a CCDF-based component of the State’s Child Care Assistance Program.Such families remain eligible for Transitional Child Care as long as their incomeremains below 55% of the state’s median income level.

c). Transitionary Rental Assistance

The Transitionary Rental Assistance Program (T-RAP) provides up to 12 months of rental assistance payments to employed families who exhaust 21 months of time-limited TFA assistance or otherwise leave TFA while employed. To qualify, such

families must not be eligible for an extension and must have income over the TFApayment standard or must be working at least 12 hours per week when leaving TFAfor another reason. The T-RAP subsidy is equal to the difference between fortypercent of the tenant’s monthly income (minus certain allowances), and the state-setmaximum rent, or twenty percent of the family’s gross monthly income, whichever isgreater. A fifty percent of area median income limit applies.

d). Women in Transition

Charter Oak State College’s Women in Transition program (WIT) is designed toaddresses the needs of the underemployed and under-served who could, with acollege degree, improve the quality of their lives. The Women in Transition programtargets minority, low-income, single mothers, many of whom are formerAFDC/TANF recipients. All individuals provided with services will meet the criteriaof “Needy Parents” as defined in Connecticut’s State Plan for the TemporaryAssistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. The purpose of the program is toend the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting jobpreparation, work and marriage. This is a separate state program that utilizes statemaintenance of effort funds.




d). Women in Transition (Continued)

The WIT participants are provided with laptop computers, Internet access, a printer,

funding for courses not covered by financial aid, textbooks, and academic and careercounseling. The technology tools allow the student to take online courses and tocommunicate with the WIT Coordinator, faculty, and other students. Taking onlinecourses alleviates the need for childcare and transportation costs and allows thefamily to spend more quality time together. Funds provided under this MOA will beused to provide recruitment, assessment, counseling, technology training and support,books, tuition and other fees not covered by federal or state financial aid.




(3) DESCRIPTION OF HOW STATE REDUCES ASSISTANCE PAYABLE TO A

FAMILY WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL REFUSES TO ENGAGE IN WORK

WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE.

Non-exempt individuals (other than minor parents) who refuse or otherwise fail toengage in work without good cause subject the family receiving Temporary FamilyAssistance (TFA) benefits to progressively larger reductions in cash benefits payable.Such refusal or failure to engage in work includes failure to satisfactory engage inwork activities specified in employment plans, voluntary quits of employment, andterminations from employment due to willful misconduct. Reductions in benefits forfamilies who have not yet reached the program’s 21-month time limit are applied asfollows:

a reduction of 25 percent for three months for the first offense1;

a reduction of 35 percent for three months for the second offense; for the third and any subsequent offenses, discontinuance of the family’s

assistance and ineligibility for at least three months.

For non-exempt individuals who comprise entire assistance units (“assistance units of one,” such as pregnant women with no other children), benefits are discontinuedentirely for at least three months irrespective of the offense number.

For families receiving benefits under extension provisions (i.e., beyond the program’s21-month time limit), the penalty for refusal or failure to engage in work isdiscontinuance and ineligibility for any future extensions based on good faith effort to

obtain and retain employment.

Individuals who are exempt from employment services do not subject the family tothe penalties described above. Such individuals include:

children under 18, unless the child is a minor parent not in school; an individual who is incapacitated or of advanced age; an individual who is needed in the home because of the incapacity of

another member of the household; an individual caring for a child under one year of age, if such child is

not a child covered by the family benefit cap provision; a pregnant woman if the physician has indicated that she is unable to

work; a women in a six-week post-pregnancy period; an individual who is otherwise determined to be unemployable under

state policies.

1 A 25% reduction represents the minimum pro rata reduction for any assistance unit with more than onemember in all three of the State’s payment regions.




4) AVERAGE MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES

MADE THROUGH USE OF DISREGARDS

Not Applicable – Connecticut does not pay for child care services through the use

of disregards.




5) FAMILY VIOLENCE OPTION INFORMATION

Not Applicable – Connecticut has not adopted the Family Violence Option




6) DESCRIPTION OF NONRECURRING, SHORT-TERM BENEFITS

a) Diversion Program

Connecticut operates a Diversion Program to help families remain self-sufficientrather than become dependent on monthly cash assistance. The goal of the programis to provide families with the assistance they need in lump sum payments thatremoves barriers to employment and self sufficiency.

(i.) Eligibility Criteria

Payments are limited to families who are likely to succeed with short termhelp; program candidates must be employed or have a job offer, have a solidwork history, marketable skills, and barriers that can be removed within athree month period if given Diversion assistance. Financial eligibility criteria

for Diversion are identical to those for Temporary Family Assistance (TFA),which are described in Section A, Part I(A) of Connecticut’s TANF StatePlan. Families are eligible to receive payments to cover current andanticipated needs, up to three times the amount that they would have receivedunder TFA.

(ii.) Effect on TANF Cash Assistance Eligibility Families may be eligible for Diversion for up to three months. If a familywould be subject to the TFA time-limit, up to three months of time limit arerecorded under Diversion. Receipt of Diversion payments makes a family

ineligible for TFA for three months, unless the family experiences unduehardship. Undue hardship exits when the family’s circumstances constitute aserious threat to the health, safety or welfare of the family, and are a result of forces outside the family’s control, and the circumstances prevent the familyfrom maintaining or getting a job.

(iii.) Access to Other Program Benefits

Diversion families are served by DSS staff who explore eligibility forMedicaid, Food Stamps, and other programs. Most Diversion families areeligible for Medicaid under the Section 1931 coverage group. Diversionpayments are considered non-recurring lump sums for Food Stamp eligibilitypurposes. Receipt of Diversion also qualifies the family for Transitional ChildCare (TCC) benefits, as long as the family also meets all other TCCrequirements




b) Emergency Assistance Foster Care Months 1-4

Connecticut provides foster care residential placement services to children who arein the custody of the State and are at risk of abuse and neglect. These services are

provided up to 120 days and can be claimed because they were claimed under theState’s Emergency Assistance (EA) program. As per EA program eligibilitycriteria, the services must be necessary to meet the needs of the child. There is noeffect on TANF cash assistance for clients that also receive these services. Clientswho receive these services are case managed by Department of Children andFamilies staff who help them access any other relevant program benefits.

c) Supportive Housing for Families

The Supportive Housing for Families Program (SHF) provides subsidized housing

through DSS Section 8 Family Unification Program and intensive case managementservices to DCF families for whom inadequate housing jeopardizes the safety,permanency and well being of their children.

During the four month stabilization and skill building phase of SHF, clients areprovided a housing allowance, which includes up to four months of rent, a securitydeposit allowance and credit adjustment allowance, in order for the client tosuccessfully move into their home. During the same four month period, clientsreceive highly specialized and personalized vocational rehabilitation andemployment services. The goal is to give clients the knowledge and skills needed tosuccessfully pursue, secure, and maintain employment in order to become self sufficient.

SHF provides a special housing allowance to SHF families that need to transitionimmediately into housing and that are waiting to get a Family Unification Program(FUP) voucher assigned. This gives the SHF Case Manager the ability to provideimmediate housing assistance in the forms described above.

The maximum security deposit allowance for each family is equal to two monthsrent ($1800), and the rental subsidy is temporary and allows only for four monthsrent. The one time credit adjustment allowance allows the SHF client to pay back utilities and housing related debt, so that they will be eligible for a Section 8voucher in the future.




(7). DESCRIPTION OF DISPLACEMENT COMPLAINT PROCEDURES

Delivery of TANF employment services is administered by the ConnecticutDepartment of Labor. In this capacity the Department of Labor contracts with

several regional Workforce Investment Boards, who in turn contract with localorganizations to provide employment services to recipients of ongoing TANF cashassistance (Temporary Family Assistance).

The specific terms of the Labor Department’s contracts with the several WorkforceInvestment Boards requires said boards to administer services in accordance withall applicable federal and state laws, including section 407(f) of the Social SecurityAct. Contract language also prohibits the contractors and their subcontractors fromplacing TANF recipients into jobs from which their employees have been laid off and maintain recall rights, and also prohibits termination of employment in order tohire TANF recipients.

The Department of Labor has instructed the Workforce Investment Boards to usecomplaint resolution procedures established under their Workforce Investment Act(WIA) implementation plans to resolve displacement complaints brought by TANFparticipants. (The public was given an opportunity to comment on suchimplementation plans.) Each board must maintain these complaint resolutionprocedures, which stipulate how individuals can register complaints in eachWorkforce Investment Board region.




(8) PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT 3RD

AND 4TH

STATUTORY

PURPOSES OF TANF

Note: some of the programs and activities described below also meet the first and/or

second statutory purposes of TANF. Also, some programs are simultaneouslydirected at statutory purposes 3 and 4.

a) PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT PREVENTING AND

REDUCING OUT OF WEDLOCK BIRTHS

1. School Readiness – The initiative is designed to ensure that children from low-income families have access to high-quality early learning experiences bycombining the strengths and resources of the public and private child care andschool systems. Funds are made available to School Readiness Councils incommunities with large numbers of low-income children. The Councils assess

community needs, identify gaps, and allocate funds. Each Council is allocated fundsto increase the number of 3- and 4-year old children served in early care andeducation programs and to improve the quality of those services. The Councils arerequired to ensure that full-day early childhood care and education services areavailable year-round. Additionally, funds are made available on a statewide basis totrain new early childhood teachers.

The policy goal of the program is that 60% of the families must have earnings lessthan 75% of the state median income. Also, 60% of the families must be workingfull-time.

The program readies children for the school experience. Children who are prepared

for school are more apt to stay in school and avoid early pregnancy andchildbearing. Thus, these services prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births.

2. Teen Pregnancy Prevention -The Department of Social Services fundspregnancy prevention programs that include a component that requires thegrantees to work more intensively with at risk teens of both sexes. Programsinclude components to comprehensively address family issues including health,education and other life issues. These programs work directly to prevent andreduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies in the State.

The Department has contracted with a program evaluator to ascertain whichprogram methods, or aspects of different programs are most effective. TheDepartment has also contracted with the University of Connecticut Health Centerto act as coordinator of the various teenage pregnancy prevention efforts acrossthe state. In this capacity, the health center provides technical assistance andinformation and works with state agencies to minimize duplicated efforts and tosecure current data.




provides neighborhood-based education and mentoring programs that match low-income children, ages 7 to 14, with high school and college student counselors.The children meet with their mentors after school and during the summer. Thisprogram helps to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births.

7. Neighborhood Youth Centers - The State Office of Policy and Management(OPM) offers competitive grants to priority cities to create and maintainneighborhood youth centers. The grantees must use the funds to provide skilldevelopment training, tutoring, parental involvement, and other supportiveservices. These services take place during after-school hours. There are noincome guidelines for this program. This program helps to prevent and reduce theincidence of out-of-wedlock births.

8. Inter-District Cooperative Grants - The State Department of Education (SDE)funds school districts to offer programs that expand and enrich student’seducational experience above and beyond basic education and also encouragediversity. The types of programs funded include after-school and extended yearenrichment programs and mentoring programs. There are no income guidelinesfor this program. These services prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births because they address at-risk behaviors that can lead to out-of-wedlock births.

9. Young Parents Program - The State Department of Education (SDE) providesfunds for programs to help teen parents stay in school. The funds are used to

cover transportation costs for teen parents and their children to and from schooland child-care facilities. The funds are also used to operate parenting educationprograms and prevention programs for teens that are at-risk of becoming teenparents. There are no income guidelines for this program.

These services prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births becauseprograms that help teens stay in school support this purpose of the TANFprogram.




10. Safe Learning Grants - The State Department of Education (SDE) funds schooldistricts to develop programs that create safe school environments in whichstudents can learn without fear of harm. The programs target students who havedemonstrated at-risk behaviors, establish rules of safety and activities that

encourage respect, and decrease early youth at-risk behaviors. The funds can beused to establish after-school enrichment programs that develop crisis andviolence prevention policies. There are no income guidelines for this program.

These services prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births bytargeting students who have demonstrated at-risk behaviors that can lead to out-of-wedlock births.

11. Grants to Boys and Girls Clubs - The Office of Policy and Management (OPM)funds the Boys and Girls Clubs to offer support services such as mentoring,

outreach to high-risk girls, increased hours of operation, and other supportservices. There are no income guidelines for this program.

This program helps prevent the incidence of out-of-wedlock births by targetinggirls who have demonstrated at-risk behaviors that can lead to out-of-wedlock pregnancies and by offering after-school activities that keep students occupiedproductively.

12. Children and Youth Development Programs - The Office of Policy andManagement (OPM) funds a variety of prevention and early intervention servicesfor Connecticut youth including a parenting program for teens, a parenting

program for adults, and an after-school mentoring program. There are no incomeguidelines for this program.

This program prevents and reduces the incidence of out-of-wedlock births byproviding counseling and guidance on at-risk behaviors that can and have led toout-of-wedlock pregnancies.

13. Truancy Prevention - The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) funds threeschool districts (Hartford, Windham, and Danbury) to provide support servicessuch as classes on parenting skills, mentoring, coordination and tracking, andother family support services. There are no income guidelines for this program.

This program helps prevent the incidence of out-of-wedlock births by providingcounseling and other support services to help avoid at-risk behaviors.

14. Governor’s Prevention Partnership - The Office of Policy and Management(OPM) offers grants for initiatives to provide training to mentors of at-risk youth.There are no income guidelines for this program.




This program helps reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births because itprovides training to mentors on how to address and counsel youth against at-risk behaviors.

15. Violence Reduction Program - The Department of Social Services (DSS) fundsthe University of Connecticut School of Social Work to administer and provide aviolence reduction mediation program in at least two middle schools. Theprogram works with small groups of ten to fifteen students at each school who areat risk of violent behavior or who are known for their violent or aggressivedisruptions. The criteria for selection and participation in this program are theexhibition of violent or excessive aggressive behavior in schools, and studentswho are at risk of expulsion because of violent behavior. There are no incomeguidelines for this program.

This program helps reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births in that it is aprogram that aims to help students stay in school.

16. Safety Net Services – Safety Net Services are available to families who haveexhausted the 21-month time limit of TFA benefits, are not eligible for anextension due to non-compliance with employment services requirements, andhave income below the payment standard for the appropriate family size. Thisprogram works to 1) minimize the likelihood of harm to the children, 2) stabilizefamilies and assist with access to resources to strengthen parenting skills andprotect children and 3) assist families to attain and maintain employment throughthe identification and amelioration of existing psychological, personal, andstructural barriers.

Services provided include the following:

• Home based outreach services during non-traditional hours (earlymornings and weekends)

• Intensive family support services that are based on mutual trust andrespect

•

Availability of a regional clinical staff that is bilingual, andavailable for in-home or office based clinical assessments,referrals, and follow-up

• Comprehensive, qualitative assessment of family strengths and risk factors using a unique tool designed for the program

• Family focus and environmental systems approach




This program helps to stabilize families and assist with access to resources tostrengthen parenting skills and protect children and to end the dependence of “needy parents” on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and

marriage.

17. Connecticut Aid to Public College Students Grant Program- (Dependent

Students) - The General Assembly appropriates funds annually to the Departmentof Higher Education to fund the Connecticut Aid to Public College Students GrantProgram (CAPCS). These grant payments are awarded to students attendingConnecticut’s public colleges and universities. The fundamental objective of thisprogram is to provide grants, which are not paid back by the student, that fill afinancial need for students trying to pursue higher education, and becomeeconomically self-sufficient. Low income students’ decision to attend college is

influenced by the price of tuition and the amount of financial aid made availableto them. The basis of selection for these grants is financial need as determined bya needs analysis system approved by the United States Department of Education,therefore, they are not available to everyone pursuing a postsecondary education

The grant payments made to dependent undergraduate students from families whoare within the definition of “needy,” which is described as an income level below75% of the state median income, are funded under the TANF program.

There is a strong association between poor achievement and pregnancy, and pooracademic ability may influence the onset of sexual activity and early parenthood.

Participation in post secondary educational opportunities increase an individual’ssense of self worth and future orientation, creating the motivation behind avoidingrisky behaviors that may result in out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

18. Connecticut Independent College Student Grant Program- (Dependent

Students) The General Assembly appropriates funds annually to the Departmentof Higher Education to fund the Connecticut Independent College Student GrantProgram (CICSG). These grants are awarded to students attending Connecticut’sprivate colleges and universities. The fundamental objective of this program is toprovide grants, which are not paid back by the student, that fill a financial needfor students trying to pursue a better education and become economically betteroff. Low income students’ decision to attend college is influenced by the price of tuition and the amount of financial aid made available to them. The basis of selection for these grants is financial need as determined by a needs analysissystem approved by the United States Department of Education, therefore, theyare not available to everyone pursuing a postsecondary education




21. Juvenile Justice Centers (JJCs) - The General Assembly appropriates funds

annually to the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch to fund theJuvenile Justice Centers (JJCs). The Juvenile Justice Centers are center-based

programs that rely heavily on local community partnerships and agreements toserve juvenile delinquents and their families. The juveniles and their familiesreceive services that include counseling, academic support, recreation, and lifeskills development. The youth also participate in community service. The lengthof stay in the program is typically 3 to 6 months and the reporting requirementsare 3 to 6 times weekly, including Saturdays and Holidays. The goal of theprogramming is to foster positive behaviors that will help clients to make betterlife choices in the future. Educational costs to provide juveniles with a schoolboard approved basic education are excluded from the TANF claim.

The juveniles targeted by this program are those who are at high risk for

continued involvement with the juvenile justice system. There are no incomeguidelines for this program. This program utilizes federal TANF funds. Thisprogram provides services that address at risk behaviors that can lead to out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

22. Juvenile Supervision and Reporting Centers (JSRCs) - The General Assemblyappropriates funds annually to the Court Support Services Division of the JudicialBranch to fund the Juvenile Supervision and Reporting Centers (JSRCs). Thisprogram targets juveniles who would otherwise be committed to the Departmentof Children and Families for delinquency, but who can be served and supervised

through this intensive community-based program. These centers provide dayreporting programs, where the youth are required to report for at least 8 to 12hours per day for anywhere from 6 to 12 months. While at these centers, theyouth receive services designed to address their at-risk behaviors, such as:individual and family counseling, substance abuse intervention and treatment, andcase management. The youth are also involved in community service andstructured recreation.

The costs incurred under this program to provide a basic education, as approvedby the local school board, are excluded from the program costs claimed underTANF. There are no income guidelines for this program. This program is utilizesfederal TANF funds. This program supports reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancy, because it provides services that address the risky behaviorsof the youth involved.

23. Striving Toward Achievement, Renewal and Success program (STARS) - TheGeneral Assembly appropriates funds annually to the Court Support ServicesDivision of the Judicial Branch to fund the Striving Toward Achievement,




Renewal and Success program (STARS). This is a gender-specific program forwomen age 16 and older who have been involved with the criminal justicesystem. The goal of the STARS program is to help address the issues that havecontributed to the destructive, risky behaviors of these women. It is these risky

behaviors that can often lead to out-of-wedlock pregnancy (some of theparticipants already have a child/ren). The program environment is positive, safe,and trusting and helps to foster self-esteem and motivation among the participantsin the program with the intention that they will ultimately make better lifechoices. There are no income guidelines for this program. This program isutilizes federal TANF funds. This program supports reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

24.Truancy Services - The General Assembly appropriated funds annually to the

Judicial Branch to fund Truancy Services programs. These funds are distributedacross several juvenile service providers as part of their larger budget amount andthe goal of these funds is to support truancy prevention efforts. Truancy is one of the first indicators in negative juvenile behavior. Students who become truant arelikely engaged in at-risk behaviors and participating in unsupervised activities thatmay result in out-of-wedlock pregnancy. There were no income guidelines forthis program. This program utilized federal TANF funds. As of the 4 th QuarterFFY 2005, this program stopped being offered.

25. Intensive Outreach and Monitoring - The General Assembly has appropriated

funds to the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch to fund theIntensive Outreach and Monitoring program (IOM). This program serves juveniles who are facing commitment to the Department of Children and Families(DCF) for delinquency, but who can benefit from this home-based service in lieuof commitment. This program provides intensive case management, as thecaseworkers are available 24 hours a day, seven days each week. The casemanagers meet with clients in the context of the family and provide access tocommunity-based services. The goal of the program is to promote positivebehavior and avoid risky behaviors that can lead to out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

26. Summer Youth Extended Day – Summer School programs for students inPriority School Districts are required by legislation for several group of studentsincluding: kindergarten students in need of additional instruction in readingreadiness; students in 4th and 6th grade who fail to meet the standard on the 4th or6th grade mastery examination; and students identified as being at risk of failing tolearn to read. Summer school programs are supported by SDE grant funds tolocal boards of education for priority school districts.




b) PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT FORMATION AND

MAINTENANCE OF TWO-PARENT FAMILIES

1. Family Resource Centers – Operated through the State Department of Education,these centers are designed to promote comprehensive, integrated, community-basedsystems of family support and child development.

Family Resource Centers provide or collaborate with existing agencies to operatefull-time preschool childcare, school-age childcare, families–in-training (includinghome visiting and monitoring of child development for new and expectant parents),adult education, support and training for family daycare providers, positive youthdevelopment services, and resource and referral services.

In addition to encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families,Family Resource Centers also reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births.

2. Child Welfare Prevention and Intervention Services - These services areprovided when conditions exist requiring the intervention of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). These services include: substance abusecounseling and screening of a non-medical nature, 24-hour family preservationcounseling to families in their homes, community-based prevention and treatmentof child abuse, community-based case management for children and their familieswho are at-risk of being removed from their homes, outreach referral, and crisisintervention to families who are at-risk or have experienced abuse and neglect,support for families in which there is a child or adult victim of family violence,

child-care of a therapeutic nature to enable children who have demonstratedemotional, behavioral, or neurological problems to remain in their homes,investigations of reports of child abuse and neglect, and case management andcounseling supportive services for clients in subsidized housing programs, casemanagement and counseling provided to families through Child Guidance Clinics,support to reunifying families during the post transition phase of reunification.

Also included are services provided with funds from the children’s Trust Fundsuch as parenting programs for first-time parents, Parents Anonymous groups, andother developmental and support services.

These services are offered on behalf of children under the age of 19 who aremembers of families with a gross income of seventy-five percent or less than theState Median Income (SMI).

These services enable needy families to care for their children in their own homesor in the homes of relatives or were authorized through the Emergency Assistanceprogram described in Connecticut’s IV-A State Plan in effect on September 30,1995.




3. Fatherhood Initiative – Connecticut’s fatherhood initiative is a broad-based,statewide program led by the department that focuses on changing the systemsthat can improve fathers’ ability to be fully and positively involved in the lives of their children. The programs objectives are as follows:

• Promote public education concerning the financial and emotionalresponsibilities of fatherhood;

• Assist men in preparing for the legal, financial and emotional responsibilitiesof fatherhood;

• Promote the establishment of paternity at childbirth;

• Encourage fathers, regardless of marital status, to foster their emotionalconnection to and financial support of their children;

• Establish support mechanisms for fathers in their relationship with theirchildren, regardless of their marital and financial status;

• Integrate state and local services available for families.

4. Education and Training Services – The Department of Corrections (DOC)provides education and training services that prepare clients to develop job skillsand ultimately secure employment. TANF funds are used for such servicesprovided to clients who are non-custodial parents. By providing education andtraining services to non-custodial parents, the program helps them obtain the sillsand ultimately jobs that will enable them to be contributing members of theirfamilies. In this way, the program encourages the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

5. Addiction Treatment Services – The Department of Correction (DOC) providesaddiction services to clients who have varying levels of needs, from basicaddiction education to intensive counseling. TANF funds are used to cover thecost of such non-medical services provided to clients who are non-custodialparents. By providing addiction treatment to non-custodial parents, the programhelps them become clean and sober, which ultimately will enable them to becomecontributing members of the family. In this way, the program encourages theformation and maintenance of two-parent families.




6. Judicial Branch Counseling Services Program – The Judicial Branch providesmental health counseling services in the three state detention centers. Judicialcontracts with private providers for services such as: psychiatric assessment,psychotropic medication management, licensed clinical social work assessment

and treatment, substance abuse assessment and short-term treatment and psycho-education for the child and the parent(s). The assessment and counseling servicesare claimed under TANF and the medical services are not.

The services provided through this program help to prevent out of wedlock births.The mental health and substance abuse services available in the state detentioncenters provide much needed assessment and early intervention for youthspresenting with these types of issues. The research literature shows that childrenplaced in detention for delinquent behavior are at high-risk for furtherinvolvement with the criminal justice system. High-risk adolescents involvedwith the court are also at high-risk or already have a history of out-of-wedlock

pregnancy, school failure, and unemployment. The adolescent detentionpopulation is disproportionately over-represented by children from high conflictfamilies and the children can often continue in the family legacy of familyinstability.

7. Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) - Problem

Gambling Services Program - The Connecticut Lottery Corporation created the"Connecticut Partnership for Responsible Gambling" (the Partnership). ThePartnership is designed to educate consumers on problem gambling, underagegambling, and to promote responsible play. The Partnership also serves as a

leading resource for responsible gambling, warning signs of problem gamblingand available treatment services. The Connecticut Lottery Corporation supportsthis effort through a $1.2 million annual contribution to the DMHAS ProblemGambling Services Program.

Through the Problem Gambling Services program, DMHAS provides counseling,assessment, financial management counseling, and peer counseling. They alsoprovide gambling prevention services and perform advocacy work. The programoperates in 15 sites throughout the State, which are either State-operated oroperated by private non-for-profit organizations.


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